quilterkp Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 I will be retiring in a few years and would love to have a long arm business to make some extra money. However, I have to wonder if it is still a good option due to all the cheaper frame systems sold to hobbyists. This would only be a part time business but I would need it to generate some profit. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InesR Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 Humble opinion, but there are quilters who like to piece, there are quilters who like to quilt and there are the ones who like the complete process. Before I committed to buying mine, I spoke with a couple quilt store owners and with a couple long armers in the area. They said there was plenty of work in our area. quilterkp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliagraves Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 I have had a profitable longarm business for 10 years. There are many benefits to having a business - a lot of expenses that you would have had any way due to quilting being your hobby, will now become business expenses, offsetting your income. I agree that there is lots of business out there, especially for people that do quality work with a reasonable turn around. Good luck! quilterkp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 I will just add, quilting is very rewarding because you become a part of the history of that quilt. You may be the only person who knows that, but to me that was very rewarding. It is hard work, and to be honest, you will need to set aside time for family. But you should do that anyway. It may take a little time to build your business, and you will need sell yourself, but there is plenty of business out there. quilterkp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamache Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 I agree there is work available. I am a hobby quilter, but I am often asked if I will quilt for someone. I do a few now and then, but I do not want a business. Make your work visible and you can keep busy. quilterkp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterkp Posted February 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 I really appreciate the responses. I now am hopeful. Will join a guild and see if there is some demand. Is it bad that I already know I want a Millie? :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judyday Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 No it is not bad that you want a millie. Reach for the stars! Mary Beth's comment about setting time for your family is correct. More than likely you will have Millie in your home. A home business is hard to walk away from at 5:00. Best of luck. I certainly admire you. quilterkp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterkp Posted March 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 Both my children are grown and my oldest is married and out of the house. The youngest is almost through college. My daughter shares many of my interests so I am predicting she will eventually get sucked into the longarm world. How long have you had your George? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlene Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 I am a bit late in responding to this question so I hope you are still looking at messages. I have a longarm business and have had my longarm for 12 years. Over the last year or so, I see more and more of my customers buying machines to do their own quilts. I still have enough business to pay my bills but could be busier. Personally I would be cautious in looking at your area right now. Join several quilt guilds and see how many of the quilts shown at show n tell and at quilt shows are done by the piecer and how many are done by quilters. Try to talk to some of the longarmers in your area to see how busy they are. The girls that do the fancy custom quilts for hundreds of dollars have long waiting lists. I can't afford to do those quilts and make most of my money doing some light custom and edge to edges. Three years ago I purchased the Intelliquilter robotic system and have been extremely happy with it and my customers appreciate getting those designs without an additional charge. If you can, see if there is a rental longarm system in your area before purchasing it so you can make sure you like it. Best wishes, Charlene quilterkp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterkp Posted March 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 Yes, I am still looking at messages. :-) It is a concern because the longarmers here (except for one) only have a two week turn around. I don't need to make enough money to live on -- just enough to supplement the pension I will be receiving as I would like to wait a bit to draw social security. There are two rental places within driving distance, so I plan to visit both. My retirement is in four years and 7 months, but if I get a machine, would get one in about two years so I have enough time to practice. judyday 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judyday Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 Sorry im just now replying. I have had my George since september 2015. I have probably done 4 quilts and about 4 wall hangings or baby quilts. I like to sew ,knit and read so some days i dont get around to quilting. Not many weeks go by though. quilterkp and InesR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterkp Posted March 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 Judy, you have a very nice set up and I love your pumpkin quilt. Karen judyday 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggingbutt Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 As an owner of one of the cheaper option frames that you place your regular sewing machine on, I can attest you have no worry about competition from me or anyone using said devices. They can do a quilt, but chances are it will take us 10 times as long. Constant movement of the quilt on the frame, lack of computerization to facilitate a timely product are just a couple reasons.If I get more than two or three quilts done this year, I'll be real surprised. Now if you are approaching this as a business, and willing to invest in a quality top of the line long arm with automation features, plus have the space, and additional materials like batting, thread, backing etc. And most of all, patience to deal with people who are always expecting a deal, or a quick turn around etc., or want you to fix their shoddy work... well maybe it may pay for itself in time. But do it for the love of quilting, not to make money or provide income. You will certainly be disappointed. There are many more people getting out of the business than getting in. Many for the wrong reasons. The truly dedicated and enthusiastic ones will find a way to bring joy to their lives, and be a success, but not everyone measures success in $. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GayleneM Posted June 7, 2021 Report Share Posted June 7, 2021 Reading these posts and wondering how it turned out for you? I've been piecing quilts for over 25 years with finishing them on my domestic machine or by hand. This year I started out renting time at the area APQS dealers shop and love it! I ended up with an older Freedom but my husband has decided that I can upgrade to the Millie I wanted, so will finalize the order as soon as my Freedom sells. I already have 7 customer quilts lined up to piece and then finish. So will be working on the design and piecing first. Even though I'm anxious to get the business going, it will not be my primary business as work in IT full time. I make & finish quilts because I love the process and their expressions when they first see the finished product, the $ is just a side benefit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterkp Posted March 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2022 Hi, Gaylene, Unfortunately, I had to push retirement back. However, I did buy a used longarm and am trying to get good enough to do business. I don’t have computerization, so worry about competing with the perfect computerized quilters. I also work in IT! Glad to hear you have the machine of your dreams. How is the business going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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